Multiple precision instrument and tool



Nov. 10, 1953 v. s. DEBs 2,658,278

MULTIPLE PRECISION INSTRUMENT AND TOOL Filed Dec. 16 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l 20/3a 36 /3 /4 /5 4/ 32 32a /O Y 83 Ti-8 I8 l I v 5 24/3L 20 f 43 F|G.3 32

\ :a l/ m i INVENTOR Nov. 10, 1953 v. s. DEBS 2,658,278

MULTIPLE PRECISION INSTRUMENT AND TOOL Filed Dec. 16, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR V/ CTOR S. DEBS Patented Nov. 10, 1953 MULTIPLE PRECISION INSTRUMENT AND TOOL Victor S. Debs, New York, N. Y.

Application December 16, 1949, Serial No. 133,390

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple precision instrument and tool.

An object of this invention is to provide a highly improved device of the character described which may be used as a six inch rule, having a pair of superimposed portions one of which is provided with ruler scales at opposite edges, one divided into inches and sixteenths of an inch, and the other into inches and tenths of an inch, and the other part of which has ruler scales marked at the opposite edges thereof, one divided into inches and thirty-seconds of an inch and the other side being a metric scale.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described in which the two parts are extensibly interconnected and said parts being extensible to provide a twelve inch ruler With scales divided into inches and sixteenths of an inch at one edge, and scales at the opposite edge divided into inches and tenths of an inch.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described in which the two parts are interconnected by a sliding pivot and having means thereon to permit the device tobe used as a proportional line divider and also as a circle divider.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described in which the parts may be attached together at right angles to one another to provide an adjustable square or the parts attached together at various angles to provide for means for drawing triangles or various angles.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an angular device of the character described having protractor scale means to measure various angles whereby the device may be used as a protractor.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described having means to permit the device to be used as a compass for drawing circles from one-half inch to twelve inches in radius.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be used either as a letter opener or as a paper cutter.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a strong, compact and durable device of the character described which shall have a great many uses, which shall be easy to adjust and manipulate and be eicient to a high degree in use.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combination tool which is adaptable for several uses in measuring and drafting work and which shall be simple in construction, accurate in use, easy to operate, and which shall be extremely light in weight, small in size, convenient to carry .and which may be manufactured at extremely low cost and which will nevertheless be efficient and practical to a high degree.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, `and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims. f

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrative embodiments of this invention, f

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device embodying the invention, showing the device in position for use as a six inch rule;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the structure shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 5 and illustrating the `bottom surface in Fig. 1 with the top section at right angles to the bottom section shown in full lines and with the top section at an acute angle to the bottom section shown in dot-dash lines;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View taken on line y8--8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a partial `cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 8 and illustrating a modied construction;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the device embodying the invention and illustrating another modified construction;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Ii-llofFig 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged partial View showing the junction of the top and bottom sections when said sections are attached together at right angles to one another to form a T;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged partial top View showing the use of the device as a protractor;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view showing the device in use as a proportional divider;

Fig. l5 is a top plan view showing the use of the device as a circle divider;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the use of thedevice as a compass for circles of less than 31/2 radius;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the device showing the use of the [device as a compass for circles having radius from 31/2 to 6";

Fig. 18 isa View similar to Fig. 17 but illustrating the use of the device as a compass for circles of a radius from six to twelve inches;

Fig. i9 is aperspective view illustrating the use of the device as a letter opener; and.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device as a paper cutter.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, I designates a device embodying the invention.

The same comprises a top part or section and a bottom part or section I2. The topsection II has a top surface I3 having a triangular shaped end pointed portions |3a and I13b. Extending downwardly and rearwardly from the top surface I3 is a beveled surface |4 terminating in an edge I5. Extending downwardly and forwardly from the top surface I3 is a beveled surface I6 terminating in an end edge I1. Extending from surface I 3a are beveled surfaces I8 and |3- terminating in edges 28 and 2|' respectively. Theedges 25 and 2| meet at a point' 22. The surfaces I8 and I3 meet at an edge 23. Extending from the surface |3b are beveled edges 24 and 25L terminating in inclined edges 26 and 2T. The edges 26 and 21 meet at a point 28. The surfaces 24 and 25 meet at an edge 28.

Saidy top member H ls furthermore formed adjacent one end with longitudinal central slot 3i forming opposite parallel edges 32 and 33. Extending' from the edges 32 and 33 are upwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces 32a and 33a re- The angle between the edges 20 and 2| isy preferably sixty degrees- Likewise. the angle between the edges 26 and 21 isA preferably sixty degrees. Member II is formed with vertical through opening 39 at the. junction of surface Ita with the edge 22. Said member H isl also formed with a vertical through opening 48 at the Junction of surface |3b and edge 28. The openings 39 and 4t may be tapered if desired. Itvwili now be noted tint the slot 3| extends from a point beyond one end of scales 36, 31 to a` point beyond the 3%." marks on said scales.

On surface I3 and adjacent the surface 32a. is marked a line proportional divider scale 4I, in Dl'UpOrtiOnsof 3/4 tol; %itn1,.2 to 1,3 to 1,4to1, to 1, 6 to l, '7 to Land Sto I. Adjacent'oneend of the scale may be marked the word Lines On surface I3 and adjacent the surface 33a is a circle divider scale 42 having indications for dividing a circle into 6, '1, 8, 9, 10, 1,1', 13' and 15 parts. The use of the device as s proportional divider for lines and as a circle. divider will be explained in detail hereinafter.

The part H has a bottom surface 43 shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Said surface 43A is marked with a horizontal line 44 extending from the axis of hole 39 to the point 22. It is also formed with a horizontal line 45 extending from the center of the circle 40 to the point 28.

Marked on the surface 43 adjacent one end thereof is the major portion of a. circular protractor scale 46. The center of the scale 46 is located within slot 3| adjacent one end thereof.

Junctions of the lines 26, I5 and 21, I1 respec- 4 tively. It will also be noted that the scale 46 is not a complete circle as part of it is cut od by theslot 3|. i

Referring naw to the section or pitt I2, the same is superimposed beneath the part I| and is similar ln shape thereto and is symmetrically disposed with respect thereto. The part I2 has a top surface. II! which contacts the surface 43 of part |I as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Thus part I2 has an edge 5I which coincides with the edge I5, an edge 52 which coincides with the edge il, edges 53 and 54 each coincide with the edges 21| and 2| respectively, and edges 55 and 56 each coincide partly with the edges 26 and 21 respectively. Between the edges 55 and 5I is a notch 51. Between the edges 56 and 52 is a notch 58. Notch 51 forms an edge 51a at right angles to the edge 5|. Notch 58 forms an edge 68a at right angles to the edge 52 and aligned with edge 51a. On surface 56 and adjacent the edge 5| is marked scale 55, six friches in length and divided into inches and tenths of an inch. On said surface 5l and adjacent'. the edge 52 is marked a scale 68, six inches in length and divided into inches and sixteenths of an inch.

The part I2 is formed with longitudinal slot 6I similar and symmetrically disposed with respect to the slot 3f and coinciding therewith. Slot 6I forms opposite parallel edges 62 and 63. Extending from the edge 62 isis downwardly and outwardly beveled surface 61a. Extending from edge 83 is a downwardly and outwardly beveled surface 63a.

The underside of part t2 is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Said part has. a bottom surface 66 similar to the surface I3 and part4 |I. Extending from surface 66 are opposite beveled edges 61 and 68 symmetrical to the surface I6 and I'4. 0n surface 61 is a scale 68, six inches in length and divided into inches and sixteenths or thirty-secondsV of an inch. On surface 66 is a scale 10 which may be a metric scale. Surface 66 has a triangular portion 68a at one end, and a triangular portion 66h et its opposite end. Extending from the surface 66a are beveled inclined surfaces 12 and 1.3 extending tothe edges 54 and 53 respectively. Extending from the surface 66h are surfaces 14 and 15 extending to the edges 56 and 55 respectively. Edges 53 and 54 meet at a point 11'. Edges 56 and l5 meet at a point 18. The surfaces 12 and I3 meet at an edge 18. The surfaces 14 and 15 meet at an edge 8|). On surface 66 and adjacent the surface 65a is a scale 8| which starts one-half inch away from the right end of edge 63 and extends to the 3%" mark, and is dividedV into inches and sixteenths of an inch.

On surface 66 and adjacent the surface 62a is a scale 82 coextensive with the scale 8| and likewise divided into inches and sixteenths of an inch. It will be observed however that while scale 8| is from 1/2" to 3%" reading from right to left, the scale 82 is from 31/2" to 61A" reading from left to right. The 8%" mark on scale 82 is opposite the 3*/2" mark on scale 8|. Thus the 4", 5 and 6" marks on scale 82 are opposite the 3", 2" and l" marks respectively on the scale 8|.

The part I2 is formed. furthermore, with an opening 83 at the junction of surfaces 66a and the edge 18. The opening 83 may be tapered and registers with the opening 38 when the parts Il and I2 are superimposed. Said part I2 is furthermore formed with an opening 84 at the junction of surface 66h and edge I0. Said openacuden ing may be tapered and registers with the opening 4I) when the parts II and I2 are superimposed.

Means is provided for slidably and pivotally connecting the parts II and I2 and for attaching said parts in various adjusted positions. To this end there is provided a slider S. The slider S comprises a part 85 mounted in the slot 6I, having a beveled surface contacting the surfaces 62a.' and 63o and a bottom surface flush with the surface 66. Marked on the undersurface of the slider part 85 is a line 86 which registers with the 1/2 mark on the scale 8| and the 61/2" mark on the scale 82 when said member is at the right end of part I2, looking at Fig. 2 of the drawing. Said undersurface of member 85 is also provided with a horizontal line 85a. at right angles to the line 86 and extending to an end edge of said part 85.

Fixed to or passing through an axial hole in .g

part 85, is a screw 81 passing through slot 3'I and upwardly above surface I3. Screw 81 is held against rotation relative to slider part 85. At the upper end of the screw 81 is a point 8B. Within slot 3| is a slider part 89 substantially similar and symmetrically disposed with respect to part 85. On the upper surface of part 89 is a line 89a which can be used with either scales di or 42. Part 89 has beveled surfaces contacting the beveled surfaces 32a and 33o. It is formed with a through opening through which the screw 81 passes. It has a top surface flush with the surface I3. Screwed to the screw 8'1 is a nut 99. When the nut 99 is tightened the parts 85 and 89 are pressed together for pressing the parts II and I2 together. Upon loosening the nut 99 the slider S may be slidably moved relative to slots 3l, 6I.

Furthermore the parts II and I2 may be pivotally moved relative to one another about the axis of screw 81. Furthermore the two devices may be extended. Thus theparts II and I2 may be moved from superimposed positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to extended positions shown in Fig. 6, or to a right angular or other angular position and shown in Fig. 7. A right angle position of the two parts forming a T is shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 13 the two parts are at right angles to one another, meeting at a corner so the device can be used as a protractor. In Figs. 14 and 15 the two parts cross each other for use as a line proportional divider.

The various uses of the device will now be described. in detail.

JI/hen the parts I I and I2 are attached together in superimposed position, the device can be used as a six inch ruler. Either the scales 36, 31, 69 or 'I9 can be used. The device can also be used for slitting folded paper because of the beveled longitudinal edges. Upon loosening the nut 90 and swinging the bottom section through 180 degrees about the screw and then again tightening the nut, the device may be used as a 12 ruler with 1% and inch graduations. In said position the scales 69 and 59 will be in tandem and the scales 6i) and 36 will be in tandem.

To use the device as a proportional divider for lines, superimpose parts II and I2, loosen the nut and push the slider S until the line 99a registers with the desired ratio on the scale l the reduced ratio. The points 11,22 and'18, 28 are the ypoints which are to be used. c For using the device as a circle divider, merely move the slider to bring line 89a to the desired point on the scale 42. The use of the device as a circle divider is illustrated in Fig. 15 of the drawing. To adjust the device for use as a square, loosen the screw and turn one arm of the ruler 90 degrees to obtain a square. One square is illustrated in Figs. '7 and 12. In such position the line 85a on the undersurface of part 85 will register with the degree mark on the protractor scale 41, as illustrated in Fig. 12. In the position of Figs. 7 and 12 the part I2 is at right angles to part II and the slide S has been moved to the inner end of the slots SI, 6I.

Obviously, partr II may be moved to any desired angle with respect to part I2 and the angle is indicated on the protractor scale 46 and can be read at line 85a. As shown in Fig. 12, the part II yis at the middle of part I2. If desired the slider S-may be moved lengthwise of the part I2 and the nut tightened in any desired position.

In Fig. 13 the device is illustrated when used as a protractor to measure angles of any degree.` As shownin Fig. 13, the slider "S is at one end of the slot Elin part I2. The part II may be rotated about the screw, and the angle on the protractor scale 46 may be read at the edges 51a or 58a. It will be noted that the undersurface of part 89 of the slider S is marked as at 89h with a scale which complements the portion of the scale 46 that is omitted by reason of the slot 3I. In other words, when the part 89 is at the right end of the slot 3I as shown in Fig.k 3, the

scale 89h completesthe scale 46 and the two scales together make a circle of 360 degrees. In Fig. r13 the protractor reads 90 degrees at the edge 58a. However by rotating member II relative to member I2 any other desired anglel may be obtained and-the angle will be read either on scale 46 or scale89a, wherever the edge 58a happens to be located. l

In Fig. I6 the'device is illustrated as being used as a compass for circles having radius from ,1/2v to 31/2. To accomplish this function, the parts Il and I2 arey superimposed. The slider is moved tobring the mark 86 into registry with V the desired radius on-scale 8I from 1A, to 31/2. The device is then held upside down so that the point 88 can penetrate the center of the circle to be drawn. The point of a pencil P is then inserted through the holes 40, 80 and using the vpoint-88 as acenter of rotation, the device I9 is rotated to draw the circle C.

yIf it is desiredl to draw a circle with a radius from 3%" tol 61/2" the point of the pencil P is inserted through the registering openings 39, 83. The slider is moved .to bring the line 86 into registry with'the desired reading on scale 82 which is'from 31/2 to 61/2" and the circle C is made. For circles of 61/2. t'o 12" radius, open the ruler by swinging part I2 180 degrees relative to part II so that the parts II and I2 are in alignment. The two parts are slidably moved relative to one another to obtain desired circle radius. The pin N is then inserted through the hole at one end of part I2 and the point of the pencil "P inserted through the opening at the other end of part I I. Circle C may then be drawn.

In Fig. 19 it is shown how either part I I or part I2 can be used as a letter opener because of its beveled edges. Furthermore `the device may be 7 used as a paper cutter to cut paper in scissorslike fashion.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a device |0a illustrating a modified construction. The device |a is similar to device I0 with the exception that instead of having beveled surfaces between the slider and the ruler parts, a right angle step construction is used as indicated at |00 and |0I.

In Figs. and 11 there is illustrated a device I0b showing a still further modified construction. The device |0b can be used as a slide rule. It comprises a top part |02 and a bottom part |03 similar to parts |0 and except that the slots in said parts cross the entire length of said parts. The slot in the top part |02 is wider than the slot in the bottom part. Said slot in the top part |02 has beveled surfaces |04 and the slot in the bottom part |03 may have a step construction as shown at |05.

The slider S used with the part |0b comprises a slider part |06 sliding in the slot in the lower member |03 and aiilxed thereto is a screw |01 passing through the slider part |08 in the slot of part |02. Screwed on the screw in a nut 80. It will now be observed that portions of the upper surface of the part |03, on opposite sides of the slot therein, are exposed and may be seen through the slot in the top part |02. These exposed surfaces may carry slide rule scales, and the inclined surfaces |04 on the part |02 may carry slide rule scales cooperating therewith. These scales may be A, B, C and D" scales of a slide rule.

It will now be observed that the device |0b comprises two parts which are slidable one longitudinally of the other, and a slider, and when marked with the proper scales the device may be used as a slide rule. The parts |02 and |03 have outer beveled edges and pointed ends and are constructed like the parts Il and |2 except as noted hereinabove.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter above set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Edges 23, 29, 19 and 80 are marked with lines.

On the upper surface of part I2 (Fig. 4) are marked horizontal lines a and 45a extending to points 11 and 18 respectively. It will now be understood that the lines 44, 45, 44a, 45a, 23, 29, 19 and 80 all extend to the points of the parts and I2 to serve as markings to facilitate use of the device as dividers.

The holes 38, 40, 83 and 84 are tapered to facilitate inking. The beveled edges of the parts and I2 also facilitate inking.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A device of the character described comprising a pair of superimposed rules formed with registering longitudinal slots, means extending through said slots for interconnecting said rules for independent sliding as well as independent pivotal relative movement, said means being further provided with means for clamping said rules together in various adjusted positions, said rules each being formed at the exposed sides thereof with beveled opposite surfaces extending to opposite edges thereof, said rules each havinl pointed ends, scales on the beveled surfaces of said rules. and scales at opposite edges of the inner surface of one of said rules. one of said rules being provided with a line Proportional divider scale adjacent one edge of the longitudinal slot therein, said last mentioned rule being formed with a circle divider scale adjacent the opposite edge of the longitudinal slot therein. and means on the slider to cooperate with said proportional divider scale and circle divider scale. the other rule being provided with scales to measure lengths at opposite edges of the longitudinal slot therein, and means on the slider to cooperate with said last mmtioned scales, the ilrst rule being formed adjacent one end thereof and at the inner surface thereof with a protractor scale, formed partly thereon and partly on the slider which rides freely in said longitudinal slot.

2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of superimposed rules formed with registering longitudinal slots, means extending through said slots for interconnecting said rules for independent sliding as well as independent pivotal relative movement, said means being further provided with means for clamping said rules together in various adiusted positions. said rules each being formed at the exposed sides thereof with beveled opposite surfaces extending to opposite edges thereof, said rules each having pointed ends, scales on the beveled suxfaces of said rules, and scales at opposite edges of the inner surface of one of said rules, one of said rules being provided with a line proportional divider scale adjacent one edge of the longitudinal slot therein, said last mentioned rule being formed with a circle divider scale adjacent the opposite edge of the longitudinal slot therein, and means on the slider to cooperate pith said proportional divider scale and circle divider scale, the other rule being provided with scales to measure lengths at opposite edges of the longitudinal slot therein, and means on the slider to cooperate with said last mentioned scales, the first rule being formed adjacent one end thereof and at the inner surface thereof with a protractor scale, the other rule being formed with a notch forming an edge adapted to cooperate with said protractor scale, said slider being provided with part of a protractor scale complementary to the protractor scale on the first scale.

VICTOR S. DEBS.

References Cited in the me 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 65,532 Bickford June l1, 1867 453,385 Parkinson June 2, 1891 886,639 Renner May 5. 1908 930,408 Nelson Aug. 10, 1909 967,267 Thompson Aug. 16, 1910 1,268,230 Frazier June 4, 1918 1,321,924 Kuldell Nov. 18, 1919 1,507,798 Seghevs Sept. 9, 1924 1,590,031 Imhof June 22, 1926 1,636,637 Hutchinson July 19, 1927 2,510,805 Dewey June 6, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,163 Great Britain 1888 8,888 Great Britain June 23, i900 606,307 Great Britain Aug. li, 1948 

